Too Easy Porn

According to a study in the February issue of Pediatrics (reported in a New York Times blog), more and more "young people" (10- to 17-year-olds) are reporting having seen online porn, either intentionally or unwillingly. The Times blog quotes experts who say this is a real problem and others who say it's not a big deal. I think it's a huge deal.

Of course, Christian students who want to avoid developing wrong ideas about sex or stoking lustful desires have to work harder than ever to avoid seeing pornographic images online. Just staying away from the web isn't going to work, obviously. Too much life takes place online now. And we can't really trust web filters and other blocking software to change our hearts. We'll see what we want to see. (However, those seeking real accountability might benefit from one of those "watch" programs that automatically reports your web habits to a trusted friend.)

Bottom line: We have to choose to stay away from content that causes moral stumbling. That involves being honest with ourselves about what trips us up and avoiding sites and/or pages we know might lead us to content that leads our eyes and hearts away from God. We can join King David in asking God for help: "Turn my eyes from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word." (Psalm 119:37)